Product Details

• Actors: Winnie Mandela, Nelson Mandela, F.W. de Klerk, Eugene Terre'Blanche
• Directors: Angus Gibson, Jo Menell
• Writers: Bo Widerberg
• Producers: Jo Menell, Amina Frense, Chris Blackwell, Dan Genetti, Edward Saxon
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Palm Pictures / Umvd
• DVD Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Run Time: 118 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304834195
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,229 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A vibrantly presented and emotionally charged portrait of the dynamic African leader, this needed tighter narration to close informational gaps. For instance, there is very little mention of F.W. de Klerk, although as the corecipient of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize (along with Nelson Mandela), he most certainly figured greatly in the peaceful passing of the political baton. It may leave you with a few questions but otherwise captures Mandela's remarkable spirit. It follows him from his early days and tribal education through his work with the African National Congress to his election as Africa's first black president. Produced by Jonathan Demme, this wisely includes poetry of Africa, as much a part of Mandela's story as his own inner strength. Nominated for 1997 Academy Award for Best Documentary. --Rochelle O'Gorman

E! Online

"Using extensive archival footage and contemporary interviews, filmmakers Menell and Gibson give Mandela his due in this energetic portrait."

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation, February 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation (DVD)

Watched with my teenager and found this to be a very nice review of Nelson Mandela's life. Starts with how he was raised and educated to be the assistant to a village chief through his election as President of South Africa. The initial focus on how he was raised and interviews with his sister and others who know him gave good insight into his character that made him such a fighter for justice and great leader.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Disagree with the Editorial Review greatly on this point, May 3, 2005

By 

yjt43y7 (Eastern United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation (DVD)

Specifically, the narritive flow was good, and it gave persons a way to see the developement of Nelson Mandela and the freedom movement in South Africa. The statement that there was not alot about De Klerk, I also agree in substance and tone. De Klerk appeared commensurate to what Nelson Mandela had been saying all of his life, that he was always against racism, no pro one ethnic group or the other. This is something that De Klerk was not committed to from the beginning of his life apparently, and he, like Pharoah in Egypt, saw the writing on the wall with respect to the newness that was coming. Nonetheless, when Freedom finally came to South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who I know personnally, led all of us in a hand clap for Mr. De Klerk. This story, was about Nelson Mandela finally, not about Mr. De Klerk, and hence I didn't find the inclusion of De Klerk or the amount of time that he appeared, particularly out of balance with the main drive of the story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Triumph of Freedom, July 23, 2007

By 

Joe Anthony "Joe Anthony" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation (DVD)

This is a great documentary that seems to capture the full drama of the life of one of the greatest men of our times. This portrait of Nelson Mandela reflects upon the triumph of freedom; the strength of his character, and also gives an honest look at the man's flawed personal life as well. It also gives one a feeling for the breadth and majesty of the South Africa and the African people.

The soundtrack and cinematography are also outstanding.